Liverpool’s Unconventional Mo Salah Player of the Match Graphic Post-Wolves Display
In a thrilling match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Mohamed Salah showcased his exceptional skills, helping Liverpool secure a comeback victory. The Egyptian star notched two assists in the second half, earning him the Player of the Match title under Jurgen Klopp’s management. However, what stood out was the distinctive graphic that announced his achievement on social media, setting it apart from those of his teammates like Darwin Nunez and Allison, and it all boils down to a significant reason.
Liverpool has been nothing short of impressive this season, amassing 13 points from a possible 15, with Salah regaining his top form. After what was considered a subdued season in the previous campaign, the winger has made a triumphant return, tallying two goals and four assists in his initial five matches. Notably, he has contributed to a goal in every league game this year, as illustrated in the table below.
Even though he didn’t find the back of the net, the 31-year-old was unquestionably the standout performer at Molineux Stadium and a worthy recipient of the Player of the Match accolade. Nevertheless, the graphic shared afterward bore a key difference compared to those received by his peers, and there’s a commendable explanation behind it.
Why was Mohamed Salah’s Player of the Match graphic distinct?
For the most part, Salah’s graphic resembled those of his teammates, except for one conspicuous omission: the absence of the Carlsberg logo, which was prominently featured in all the others. Given Carlsberg’s longstanding association with Liverpool, it might have been surprising to see the logo missing from Salah’s graphic, but there’s a compelling reason for this alteration.
As a devout Muslim, Salah leads an alcohol-free lifestyle and wishes to avoid any association with alcoholic products. Liverpool’s decision to remove the Carlsberg logo from his graphic reflects the club’s deep respect for their iconic forward. This isn’t the first time Liverpool has demonstrated respect for Salah’s faith; after winning the Premier League in 2020, it was revealed that the champagne used for celebration was strictly non-alcoholic, in deference to the Egyptian’s religious beliefs.
Salah isn’t the only player on the team who adheres to an alcohol-free lifestyle due to religious convictions; former Liverpool star Sadio Mane shared this commitment, and Klopp has previously spoken about how their faith has positively impacted their careers.
Klopp praised both players in 2022 after their rapid recovery following the African Cup of Nations, citing their abstinence from alcohol as a contributing factor: “A week is no problem. Both boys don’t drink alcohol at all, so that’s a major problem you have if you celebrate a big thing – that kills or extends recovery time. They were fit the day after the game. They are both a force of nature, hopefully, it stays like this forever. They recovered extremely quickly.”
Despite rumors of a potential move to the Saudi Pro League, Salah remains loyal to Liverpool. His continued presence promises to create havoc in the Premier League for another exciting season.
Liverpool not adding the Carlsberg sponsor for Salah POTM wow pic.twitter.com/mFRfBa8JJx
— – (@PassLikeThiago) September 16, 2023